Are you searching for doctoral programs in psychology in Maryland to advance your professional opportunities in studies on the human mind and behavior? Well, you have certainly come to the right place. Despite being one of the most compact states, Maryland is among the most densely populated states in the United States and has several metropolitan areas bustling with plentiful real-world learning opportunities in diverse communities.

Situated in the Mid-Atlantic region near the nation’s capital at Washington D.C., the “Old Line State” serves as the perfect spot for attending higher education with some of the top-ranked universities in the nation. Whether you are born and raised or considering moving to Maryland, the following are the six accredited doctoral programs to further a rewarding career in psychology.

Loyola University Maryland

Department of Psychology

As a private non-profit institution founded in the Roman Catholic and Jesuit traditions for a liberal arts education of the whole person, Loyola University Maryland is situated on an 80-acre urban campus in the heart of downtown Baltimore. Recognized for hosting an exemplary community service program that serves disadvantaged communities in the greater metropolitan area, Loyola is currently ranked as the 5th best college and 6th top up-and-coming school in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. Not only has the Department of Psychology been nationally recognized for the 141st best psychology graduate programs, but it also has the 114th top clinical psychology doctoral program in the entire United States.

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology

Focused on a unique service-oriented educational approach that trains doctoral students to become leaders and innovators capable at effectively addressing the ever-changing demands of mental health services, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program adheres to the scholar-practitioner model with an emphasis on the integration of a comprehensive knowledge base in psychological theories and practical clinical skills. As the first program of its kind in the state, the full-time five-year PsyD degree leads to licensure in any state of the nation with the requirement to devote at least 20 hours each week for clinical practice at Baltimore area field placement sites. For individuals who have already graduated from one of the APA-accredited psychology master’s programs, there is an option to be admitted into the second year of the curriculum for an accelerated degree path as well.

University of Maryland – Baltimore County

Department of Psychology

Located about a half hour from the heart of the nation’s capital at Washington, D.C. on a suburban 530-acre campus, the University of Maryland in Baltimore County is a distinguished public research institution with more than 14,000 students. With recent national recognition for its diversity, affordability, and student mentoring services, UMBC is currently ranked as the 158th best college, 85th top public school, and 1st best up-and-coming university in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Department of Psychology is recognized for having the 132nd best graduate psychology programs and 104th top clinical psychology program in the country.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Human Services Psychology

Composed of three interrelated fields which provide training in Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Medicine, and Community or Applied Social Psychology, the Ph.D. in Human Services Psychology (HSP) program is concerned with promoting the human well-being through the application of psychological knowledge to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health illnesses. The program is designed to prepare graduate students to contribute to the growth of empirical-based research findings in these areas and apply this knowledge to a broad range of psychological or physical human problems. Using a bio-psychological approach as the integrative perspective for training competent human service providers and researchers, the program is typically completed in five or six years with a full-time one-year clinical internship.

University of Maryland – College Park

Department of Psychology

As the flagship campus of the state that offers students a distinctively suburban environment within easy access to the big-city learning opportunities of Washington D.C. and Baltimore, the University of Maryland –College Park is a comprehensive public institution with a diverse community of more than 27,000 students. Recognized for being among the best college buys by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, UMD is currently ranked as the 62nd best college and 21st top public school in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Also nationally recognized for hosting some of the best online doctoral programs, the Department of Psychology has the 37th best clinical psychology and 40th top psychology graduate programs in the United States.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology

Emphasizing the integration of research with clinical practice in the clinical-scientist training model, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program prepares clinical psychologists who are knowledgeable in the scientific method of inquiry as well as skilled in the development and implementation of research-based treatments to remediate mental health disorders. Based on a mentorship model where students receive rigorous research training experience, all students are involved in hands-on research to further understanding of clinical phenomena, such as personality disorders, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addictions, and schizophrenia. Through a seamless blend of five to six years of didactic coursework, practicum, research, and internship experiences, the program sensitizes students to maladjustment across diverse cultures.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology

As one of the oldest psychology doctorate programs in the nation that has been continuously accredited by the APA since 1953, the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education. Representing a broad range of research interests from psychotherapy processes and multiculturalism to vocational psychology and interpersonal relationships, the program follows a scientist-practitioner model with students gaining hands-on research experiences and diverse life experiences. Only offered on a full-time basis, the program requires students to complete a 10-20 hour per week graduate assistantship during the nine-month academic year, formal advanced coursework, Master’s research thesis, comprehensive examination, doctoral dissertation, and full-time predoctoral internship in the final sixth year.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology

Following the scientist-practitioner model, the Ph.D. in School Psychology program aims to produce school psychologists who are prepared to pursue academic or research careers to become producers of psychological science as well as prepared to practice at high-level practice positions of leadership in the field. Stressing the application of psychological knowledge from a variety of theoretical frameworks to address educational and mental health issues of students in various school environments, the research-intensive doctoral program inculcates the fundamental importance of using empirical research to inform school psychologists’ practice with field experiences in culturally diverse educational settings.

Uniformed Sciences University of the Health Sciences

Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology

Established in 1972 under legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Felix Edward Hebert as a health science university run by the U.S. Federal Government in Bethesda, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences trains uniformed health professionals to directly support the Military Health System, National Security and National Strategies of the United States, and our Armed Forces. Home to around 850 graduate students, USUHS is a traditional academic health center with an additional mission that is unlike any other institution of higher learning in the nation. According to the U.S. News and World Report, the Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology has the 114th best clinical psychology doctoral program.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology

With the goal of developing professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes appropriate to specific areas of practice through the integration of theory with research, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program follows a scientist-practitioner Boulder model of training with a strong emphasis on the development of sensitivity to cultural diversity. Within the program, students have the opportunity to pursue one of two distinct tracks. While those wishing to use their scientific training in the context of clinical work or problem solving in the field should pursue the Military Track, students who want to develop the skills needed to conduct clinically meaningful research are encouraged to follow the Medical Track. Regardless of program track, all students are required to actively participate in clinical practicum, clerkship, and internship training experiences for the development of intervention skills.

With psychology degrees emerging as one of the most popular choices at universities worldwide due to the huge range of career opportunities in the field, earning a doctoral degree in psychology can be the perfect option for those seeking a rewarding and challenging career that truly makes a difference in the lives of others. If you are interested in pursuing high-level professional opportunities to advance a career in the in-demand profession, be sure to check out these top-notch doctoral programs in psychology in Maryland that have been given the stamp of approval by the APA for excellence.